30, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Gold medal winners, Germany, celebrate with the trophy on the podium during the World Cup Field Hockey competition in Wavre, Belgium, Sunday, Aug.
It was also heartbreak for Spain coach Max Caldas, who had previously lost a World Cup final in 2018 while coaching Netherlands. Meanwhile, there was further heartbreak for Netherlands, who finished without a World Cup medal for the first time since 2006. They lost 1-2 to Argentina in the bronze-medal match earlier on Sunday.
The Dutch side had gone down to Belgium in a shootout at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
But they came out on top when it mattered most, securing a 1-0 victory courtesy of Michel Struthoff’s goal in the 44th minute. Spain dominated large parts of the game, recording nine shots on goal, 24 circle entries and four penalty corners. Coached by André Henning, Germany had lost to Spain in the second round earlier in the tournament.
They successfully defended their World Cup crown for the second time in history and became only the second team, after Pakistan, to win the title four times. Struthoff had another opportunity to double Germany’s lead in the final quarter but could not keep his shot on target this time. It ultimately did not matter as Germany held on to lift the trophy. But Germany defended resolutely to deny Spain their maiden World Cup title.